Christianity Today, Building the City of God

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Christian History and Biography Magazine Series, Building the City of God in a Crumbling World, Christianity Today International, 2007.

Referenced in: Social Ministry Strategies

LifeandLeadership.com Summary

This is a special collection of articles from the Christian History and Biography magazine published by Christianity Today, highlighting leading historical figures who addressed issues of social compassion and social justice. It is available only through Christianbook.com.

Publisher’s Product Description

“Faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

In this 25th Anniversary Issue, Christian History & Biography offers you a selection of articles focused on building the City of God – living in love – in a crumbling world. As we confront the major issues of our time and seek to love all people in all circumstances, Augustine’s writings, Chrysostom’s preaching, Catherine’s compassion, Kivengere’s joy, Lutuli’s devotion to justice, and many more examples from our history will guide us and inspire us.

Inside this issue you’ll find:

Love Amidst Brokenness – The fall of Rome was the 9/11 of the ancient world; Alaric, its Osama bin Laden. As the “eternal city” crumbled, Augustine of Hippo pointed Christians to the City of God, the eternal church on pilgrimage through a world that is not our home.
The Starving Body of Christ – We live in a world of vast economic injustice, crippling poverty, and wealthy churches. So did “golden-mouthed” preacher John Chrysostom.
Contagious Compassion – Deadly epidemics and social traumas haunt the news and test the limits of our kindness and courage. How should Christians respond, when the church itself is so divided? Perhaps we need another Catherine of Siena.
Setting the Captives Free – Oppressed women around the globe await those willing to carry on the legacy of Pandita Ramabai.
On Earth as It Is in Heaven – What is the role of the government? Can we build a Christian society in this world? Protestant Reformers Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Bucer, and John Calvin all grappled with those questions-and came up with different answers.
The Lord of Consciences – Those who fight for religious freedom today stand in a long line of Christian predecessors, including Baptist leader Thomas Helwys
Following Jesus in the Dark – The difficult choices of Dietrich Bonhoeffer show that, in extreme circumstances, the path to peace may not always be paved with clear ethical answers.
God’s Image in Color – Racism continues to stain society and challenge the church’s commitment to a color-blind gospel. Albert Lutuli’s peaceful pursuit of justice in South Africa pointed a way forward for the generations to come.
Encounters with Islam – Few issues have more serious implications for Christian witness and global politics today than Christian-Muslim relations. We can learn much from Arab Christian apologist John of Damascus, eloquent Assyrian Church leader Patriarch Timothy I, and tireless Protestant missionary Samuel Zwemer.
The Postmodern Maze – Abraham Kuyper reminds us that only Christ can bring wholeness to our fragmented age.
Costly Love, Radical Forgiveness – What made African bishop Festo Kivengere rejoice in the face of monstrous evil?

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